Former Pinson Valley standout Coty Clarke, seen here maneuvering against Southwestern Baptist State on Nov. 2nd, 2012, starred at Lawson State for two years before signing with Arkansas this past May. Walt Beazley/University of Arkansas Athletics

There are 16 active players from the state of Alabama on
SEC men's basketball rosters this season.

The number is shrinks considerably when you take away the 10
that will suit up for either Alabama or Auburn when conference play begins January
9th.

It leaves Mississippi State's Wendell Lewis, Roquez Johnson, last year's Alabama Sports Writer's Association's Mr. Basketball Craig Sword,
Ole Miss guard Nick Williams and Arkansas forwards Coty Clarke and Jacorey Williams
as the state's other representatives on the hardwood from the conference which
was produced three national champions since 2006.

Williams is the elder statesmen of natives, playing outside
the state. The 23-year old helped guide LeFlore to an AHSAA Class 6A state
championship as a senior in 2008 when he was named Alabama's Gatorade Player of
the Year.

He played one year at Indiana before transferring to Ole
Miss and has started in 58 of 64 games since redshirting during the 2009-2010
season. He's the Rebels' third-leading scorer at 11 points per game while
shooting 40.5 percent from the field and 90.9 percent from the foul line to
lead the team.

Clarke was a two-time first-team all-state selection out of
Pinson Valley High School where he graduated in 2010. The 6-7, 225-pounder averaged
14 points and 13 boards, second in the nation, at Lawson State Community
College before choosing the Razorbacks over offers from Auburn, Georgia,
Mississippi State and Bradley.

He's second on the team in rebounding with 5.2 boards to
night go along with 7.3 points per contest off the pine.

Williams, also from The Magic City, played his high school
ball at independent Central Park Christian. The freshman is averaging 4.8
points and 2.6 points per game and leads the team, shooting 84.6 percent from the
free-throw line.